CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 2013 Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon Enterprise reports that 74% of data breaches to small businesses are "crimes of opportunity" – that is, crimes that occur because a hacker notices a weakness and exploits it. In addition, the report shows that nearly half (48%) of data breaches are enabled by in-house mistakes, often made by employees who have little or no familiarity with data security protocol.

Such breaches expose technology contractors, freelancers, and consultants who work with these companies to third-party cyber liability. To help tech professionals reduce that risk exposure, TechInsurance has issued guidelines for educating clients about how to prevent data breaches.

"Most of our clients are pretty sophisticated in terms of technology, but they may not think about advising their clients on security basics," said Ted Devine, CEO of TechInsurance. "Often, that's because they don't realize that, even if their own security measures are top-notch, their clients' security lapses can expose them to costly cyber liability claims." He added that, while third-party Cyber Liability Insurance can pay for those claims, preventing them is the best way to keep premiums low and avoid the hassle of litigation.

TechInsurance recommends that IT professionals take the following steps to minimize clients' exposure to preventable data breaches:

Share the numbers. Tell clients that only 26% of small-business hacks are targeted. The rest are the cyber equivalent of a hacker seeing a window propped open and a wallet on the sill.

Encourage standard security measures. 76% of data breaches are possible because a hacker is able to guess a password. Remind clients to implement the basics: create strong passwords, update passwords regularly, use antivirus software, encrypt sensitive data, limit access to sensitive information, and have protocol in place for off-premises work.

About TechInsurance, an insureon Company

TechInsurance is the nation's leading online insurance agent for independent IT contractors and small IT and networking businesses. TechInsurance offers Cyber Liability Insurance, Errors and Omissions Coverage, General Liability Insurance, and Fidelity Bonds.